Acorn Boats

I think I would like to live by the water,
hear small waves lapping on shorelines when I wake.
I think I would walk a rocky beach
and dream of the children I will never have.
I think the water would soothe me
and point out that I did not want to bring little beings
into the world this time around.
I think I would nod sagely
and let the water remind me
of all the contracts I made before growing bone
and skin
in the belly of another strong woman
so that I could smell dampening air and rushing currents.
I think the stone grey tides
would wash the wishes of distant lives onto my doorstep.
I think I would brush off the sand
and display them in my kitchen window
and send out my own
in acorn boats
to find new lands.